OF THE OLD WORLD. 473 



hunter, when on trail or stalking, to have a number 

 of persons at his heels, on account of the extra noise 

 they must necessarily make in forcing their way 

 through cover, which often gives alarm to the game 

 and prevents him from getting a shot. Secondly, It 

 is a great drawback, when in the pursuit of some 

 dangerous animal, when a faux 'pas might [be at- 

 tended with fatal consequences, to have any other 

 than yourself to look after. Thirdly, It is not jjlea- 

 sant to have loaded firearms carried in the rear by 

 inexperienced hands, with whom an accident from 

 carelessness is as likely to occur as not. Fourthly, 

 It is not a comfortable feeling to have to depend 

 upon the coolness and courage of your followers ; 

 and many a sportsman has found himself in an awk- 

 ward position by his gun-bearers having been seized 

 with a panic, and bolted, leaving him, with both 

 barrels discharged, in the presence of a wounded 

 and infuriated animal, when nothing but some lucky 

 chance can prevent a catastrophe. Fifthly, It fre- 

 quently happens, in hunting in different parts of the 

 country, that the sportsman (if he does not keep in 

 his pay a shekar-gang of his own, which is expensive 

 work) has to intrust his spare guns to men of whom 

 he knows nothing, who may be tempted to decamp 

 with them — not a very unfrequent occurrence.* 

 Sixthly, It is a great annoyance to a tired sportsman, 

 after a hard day's fag, to have to clean four or five 



* Lieutenant Rice, of the Bombay army, lost all Lis guns iu 

 this manner. 



